LAKEPORT, Calif. – Kindness and Generosity Scholarship Fund applications are now being accepted for the upcoming eight week Compassion-based Mindfulness for Stress Reduction, Personal Clarity and Emotional Freedom courses.

The courses begin in Lucerne on Tuesday, March 17, at Marymount California University, Lakeside Campus and on Thursday, March 19, at the Main Street Gallery in Lakeport.
 
Applications will be accepted through March 12, and can be found at http://www.companioningthesacredjourney.com/courses.html .
 
Local mindfulness teacher, JoAnn Saccato, MA, uses the fund as a way to help those wishing to take the eight-week course who may not otherwise be able to attend.

“"We've had over eight full scholarships and many partial scholarships awarded since the fund started,” said. “Some course attendees have had life-changing transformations in just the first few sessions.”
 
The eight-week compassion-based mindfulness courses are designed to help attendees learn the practice of mindfulness and create a meaningful daily routine that includes benefits such as stress reduction and personal clarity with a focus on learning to respond from a place of intended values, rather than blind reaction.
 
Mindfulness as a practice has been shown to help reduce stress related illnesses, improve concentration and focus, and assist with sleep, depression, anxiety and gastrointestinal disorders.

The research indicates that when it is coupled with a compassion practice, the benefits of mindfulness increase.

The course also includes work with journaling and setting intentions, "giving a well-rounded set of tools to help navigate life, increase satisfaction, reduce stress and gain resiliency," added Saccato.
 
Early application is encouraged, as scholarships are awarded on a first come, first serve basis. 

Full information on the course and links to the scholarship application can be found at  http://www.CompanioningTheSacredJourney.com/courses.html or by calling Saccato at 707-350-1719.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA  – Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-03) will host a grants seminar on Wednesday, March 11, in Marysville, featuring collaborative sessions and grant experts.

The event will be held at the Yuba County Government Center, 915 Eighth St.

The workshop will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m., with a keynote and community network luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and sector group sessions from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

The seminar will begin with a workshop for beginning grant writers – providing invaluable information for nonprofits and local government agencies.

With an increasing shortfall of local, state, and federal funding, critical needs and services are being overlooked in local communities.

Despite the cuts, local nonprofit and community leaders have been resilient, stepping up to serve those in need in collaborative and innovative ways.

This grants seminar aims to help local agencies and community nonprofits identify funding opportunities and build organizational capacity.

It is a free event open to representatives from all government agencies and nonprofits serving the Third District.

The keynote luncheon will include remarks from Garamendi, US Department of Agriculture State Director Glenda Humiston and Sierra Health Foundation President Chet Hewitt.

Group session topics will include community and economic development; health and well being; social, veteran, seniors and family services; environment and agriculture; arts and culture; and education and youth.

The grants seminar is part of Congressman Garamendi’s newly formed Grants Initiative Network, a collaborative effort among local community leaders to provide continuing grant resources throughout the year, working to bring more federal grants to the Third District.

The Grants Initiative Network’s work includes a quarterly newsletter and a guidebook. In addition, Garamendi is continuing and expanding his office’s efforts to write letters of support to local government agencies providing valuable services to our communities.

To receive updates from the Grants Initiative Network, including information on letters of support, e-mail Andrew Kim at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 530-753-5301.

To RSVP to the grants seminar, e-mail Andrew March at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 530-753-5301. An optional RSVP is also available on Facebook at http://j.mp/GrantsSeminar .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Scouts of Lake County have created a carnival of crazy games and great food that's set to take place on Saturday, March 14.

The carnival will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.

Join them for spin art, a cake walk, car bashing, or try the toilet bowl toss and the rubber chicken fling.

Door prizes include a used car from Guy Strohmeier's Auto Center, a recliner from Allen's Furniture, photo art by Lyle Madeson, a steel rolling ball sculpture by Matt Gaulden and or 30 other door prizes. 

Admission is free.

"Script" (activity) tickets are five for $1. Presale tickets are $1 and include a $2 off coupon at most Lake County pizza parlors.

For more information or to contact a Scout near you for tickets call 707-279-2129 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Saturday, March 7, Kelseyville Presbyterian will host its Housing Task Force brisket dinner and dessert auction beginning at 6 p.m. 

Tickets are still available by calling 707-279-1104. The cost is just $12 for adults and $8 for children under 10.

Enjoy a melt-in-your-mouth brisket dinner, and then stay for the delectable dessert auction, with desserts by some of the church's best cooks.

Silent auction items are available as well, and there are a variety of different items on which to bid.

Kelseyville Presbyterian Church is located at 5340 Third St., behind Westamerica Bank in Kelseyville.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced the availability of $9 million in funding to assist low-income individuals and communities in developing local and independent food systems.

NIFA is funding the grants through the Community Food Projects program (CFP), authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill).

“Community Foods Projects provide the opportunity for low-income communities to become more self-reliant and take control of their own food systems,” said Sonny Ramaswamy, NIFA director. “These projects create food systems that are economically equitable and socially and environmentally sustainable, providing real solutions for communities most in need.”

Community Food Projects involve the entire food system. Projects assess strengths and establish connections among existing food systems, resulting in improved food systems that support self-reliance.

Grants are intended to help eligible, private, nonprofit entities in need of a one-time installment of federal assistance to establish and carry out multipurpose community food projects.

Projects are funded from $10,000 to $300,000 and up to 36 months. All grants require a dollar-for-dollar match in resources.

Applications are due March 17, 2015. Please see the request for applications for specific program requirements: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/communityfoodprojects.cfm .

CFP is an important part of USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative, which works to strengthen and support local and regional food systems.

More information on the initiative, including an interactive map of CFP and other federally-supported local food projects, can be found at www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer .

The primary goals of the Community Food Projects program are to (1) meet the food needs of low-income individuals; (2) increase the food self-reliance of low-income communities; (3) promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues; and (4) meet specific state, local or neighborhood food and agricultural needs, including needs relating to infrastructure improvement and development, planning for long-term solutions and the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers.

Since 2009, NIFA has provided more than $28 million to 154 Community Food Project awards in 48 states to help communities improve access to healthy, local food.

Past projects include Philadelphia Green, which supports small-scale growers in their efforts to bring fresh, locally grown produce to the Philadelphia metro area, and RootDown LA, which is engaging Los Angeles-area youth in community gardens.

Funding for the CFP program is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers.

Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America.

For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill .

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. More information is at: www.nifa.usda.gov .

State Board of Equalization Vice Chair George Runner will host a telephone town hall for local government officials on Tuesday, March 3, at 10 a.m.

The event, co-hosted by the League of California Cities, will provide specific information on how the BOE can help your city.

“My district contains more than 130 incorporated cities, all of which face unique tax issues,” said Runner. “It is important for city officials to understand California’s complicated tax laws. As their elected taxpayer advocate, I want to hear their concerns and answer their questions.”

Those wishing to participate may register online at www.boe.ca.gov/townhall or by calling 916-324-4970.

Individuals who preregister will receive a telephone call at the start of the event inviting them to connect to the town hall.

Elected in November 2010 and reelected in 2014, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization.

For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner .